Thursday, February 10, 2011

The other side

Yesterday I went to get my hair done like I do every month. My hairdresser, Ada Alfonso is more than a hair stylist. I've written about her a lot on this blog, with some tributes in the past here and here and here. She holds a lot of my secrets. She's not just a hairdresser...she's really a marketplace minister. To get an idea of what I mean by that you'd just have to go back and read the links.

When I went in yesterday she said to me, "Girl, you've got a lot to update me on! By the look I can already see on your face, it's all good!"

"Yep. I'm on the other side," I said. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face if I tried. I didn't try...I'm too happy. And it feels good. In my book too much of a good thing is...wonderful.

She wanted all the juicy details. All of them. I happily obliged while she did my color. She is absolutely extraordinary with color -- that is her expertise. I can't tell you how many people I've had even on the street stop me and say, "oh my gosh, I love your color!!!" I can't take credit for it -- it's due to Ada's touch. Here's what she did for me yesterday...I loved both the color and the cut. She makes me feel fabulous on the outside, but she builds me up inside too with her amazing listening skills, keen discernment and wise counsel.

I trust her with a wider spectrum of what's happening with me more than most because she doesn't have a conflict of interest with ANY of it -- in my home, church, coaching job, nothing...she's just impartial (has no ulterior motive to tell me anything she does) yet she's loyal as the day is long.

It's hard to believe I've shared the ups and downs with her of my life for almost the totality of my time here in Florida. That's a lot of mountains and valleys she's walked with me. She was with me through this and this and this. And more. Sometimes the tears have streamed down my face as I sat in her chair. That's rare for me -- I hardly ever let anyone see me sweat, let alone cry. But she's seen me blubber. Profusely. And still thinks I'm great, and...prays for me to get on the other side of whatever it is I might be going through that has me crying more than laughing.

I was absolutely thrilled to share with her about the wins in my life right now. The other side feels good. Ambrosial. Unearthly, actually. [good sigh]